BIG IDEA: GOD’S DWELLING PLACE IS THE FUNDAMENTAL
PRIORITY OF THE KINGDOM OF DAVID
INTRODUCTION:
Barnes: Arguing for Authorship by Solomon instead of David: “’The whole tenor of this psalm,’ says Jebb, ‘is an exact epitome of the dedication prayer of Solomon (2 Chr. vi). The topics are the same, -- the building the house of the Lord—the promise to David—
the inhabitation of the Almighty; and the concluding sentences of the dedication are identical with the expressions of the psalm in ver. 8-10…’ it is almost certain that it was sung by the congregated multitudes when the ark was removed from the tabernacle in
Mount Zion to the magnificent temple on Mount Moriah. It was a season of solemn joy, the greatest that had ever occurred in their national history.”
I. (:1-9) ZEAL FOR GOD’S DWELLING PLACE
EXPRESSED AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE
A. (:1-5) Reminder of David’s Zeal for God’s Dwelling Place
1. David’s life characterized by affliction rather than peace
“Remember, O Lord, on David’s behalf, all his affliction”
2. David’s commitment expressed in blanket promise
“How he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob”
3. David’s priorities oriented towards the Lord
“Surely I will not enter my house, Nor lie on my bed:
I will not give sleep to my eyes, Or slumber to my eyelids”
3. David’s goal = to establish a Permanent Dwelling Place for the Lord
“Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob”
B. (:6-7) Zeal Expressed in the Pursuit of the Ark of the Covenant
1. Tracking it throughout the land
“Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the field of Jaar”
2. Traveling to it to worship in His presence
“Let us go into His dwelling place; Let us worship at His footstool”
C. (:8-9) Zeal Expressed in the Dedication of a more Permanent Place of Worship
1. Call for the Lord to dwell in the Temple
“Arise, O Lord, to Thy resting place; Thou and the ark of Thy strength”
2. Call for the Right Response:
a. Priests – Holiness
“Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness”.b. People – Joy
“And let Thy godly ones sing for joy”
(This Refrain is repeated in verse 16)
II. (:10-12) APPEAL TO THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
FOR THE CONTINUITY OF DAVID’S KINGDOM
A. Based on God’s Unchanging Promise to David
- God’s servant
- God’s anointed
“For the sake of David Thy servant, Do not turn away the face of Thine anointed. The Lord has sworn to David, A truth from which He will not turn back; ‘Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.’”
B. Based on the Obedience of David’s sons
“If your sons will keep My covenant, And My testimony which I will teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.”
III. (:13-18) REMINDER THAT THE PROSPERITY OF DAVID’S KINGDOM IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO GOD’S CHOICE OF DWELLING PLACE
A. God Chose Zion
“For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation”
“This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.”
B. God Promised to Abundantly Bless Zion in Many Ways
1. Food and material provisions
“I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her needy with bread”
2. Spiritual Blessings (cf. to verse 9)
“Her priests also I will clothe with salvation;
And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy”
3. Kingdom Blessings
“There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth;
I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed”
C. Summary
1. Cursing for the Enemies of God’s Anointed
“His enemies I will clothe with shame”
2. Blessing for God’s Anointed
“But upon himself his crown shall shine.”
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) Where is God’s dwelling place today? As you read the psalm from this perspective thinking about your own body as God’s temple and the body of Christ as God’s temple, what insights do you gain?
2) As we meditate on the Lord’s faithfulness to His promises … How faithful are we to the commitments we make to the Lord? Do we carry through on our promises? What did it cost David to have such zeal for the Lord?
3) What are the implications here for the doctrine of Election? What security or comfort do we gain from these truths about God’s sovereign choice? What are the Messianic implications of this psalm?
4) How has God abundantly blessed us recently?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
